Top Cover For Sealing an Open End of a Cylindrical  Beverage Container, and a Method For Providing such a Top Cover

ABSTRACT

A top cover for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container comprises a panel having a scored portion. A tab is attached to a first side of the panel and configured to open a hole in the panel by fracturing the scored portion. The panel comprises a hollow body forming a cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end. A method for providing a top cover configured to seal an open end of a cylindrical beverage container comprises the steps of forming a panel having a scored portion, and attaching a tab to a first side of the panel. The tab is configured to open a hole in the panel by fracturing the scored portion. The method also comprises the step of defining a hollow body in the panel. The hollow body is forming a cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a top cover for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container. The top cover comprises a panel having a scored portion, and a tab attached to a first side of the panel and configured to open a hole in the panel by fracturing the scored portion.

BACKGROUND

Cylindrical beverage containers are widely used for storing soft drinks, beer, ice tea, etc. In many cases, consumers carry the beverage containers into areas, such as outdoors, having no facilities for cooling the beverage. Therefore, a variety of self-heating or self-cooling containers have been proposed.

A typical beverage container has a cylindrical peripheral wall defining two spaced open ends, one open end being closed by a top cover and the other end being closed by a bottom cover. Normally, the bottom cover is integrally formed with the cylindrical wall by an extruding process. The cylindrical wall, the top cover and the bottom cover are defining a tubular body forming a cavity for enclosing the beverage.

In a self-cooling beverage container according to prior art, the bottom cover defines a body that forms a cavity, which extends within the tubular body along the longitudinal axis of the container. The body of the bottom cover is separated from the cylindrical wall of the container. Such a bottom cover may be provided in any conventional container without affecting the external configuration or size of the container. However, the interior volume of the container is reduced.

The cooling process of such a self-cooling beverage container is provided by means of an elongate insert retained within the body of the bottom cover. The insert comprises freezable material. This material is typically one that melts at less than 5° C., for example, water, heavy water or a freezable gel. The insert may also be an electrically powered cooling element or a cooling element relying upon chemical reactions. The cooling element may also be a gas cylinder with controllable vent means for venting the gas to the atmosphere during cooling.

Generally, the prior published proposals provide entirely new configurations of containers, which cannot be used on existing filling lines. Such containers thus require heavy investments by beverage manufacturers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above and the following description in mind, then, an object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a self-cooling beverage container, which seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

An idea according to some embodiments is to provide a top cover configured to receive a temperature changing device.

A further idea according to some embodiments is to provide a top cover for a beverage container that can be produced in existing production lines, also when pasteurization processes are utilized.

A further idea according to some embodiments is to provide a top cover for a beverage container, which enables an efficient cooling of the beverage in a cost-effective way.

A yet further idea according to some embodiments is to provide a top cover for a beverage container, wherein all construction parts of the top cover are recyclable.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a top cover for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container is provided. The top cover comprises a panel having a hollow body forming a cavity for a temperature changing device (11), said cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end.

The hollow body may have a tapered profile, which is advantageous in that a plurality of top covers may be stacked on top of each other for reducing the space required for transporting and storing.

The top cover may further comprise a second cover for sealing the open end of the hollow body, wherein the second cover comprises at least one through hole and a protrusion arranged on a side of the second cover facing the interior of the hollow body. Hence, exhaust of a cooling fluid, as well as means for initiating a cooling process are provided in a simple and effective way.

The tab may extend over the second cover for maintaining the second cover over the open end of the hollow body. Hence, eliminating the use of adhesives or other external fastening means reduces the production costs.

The interior volume of the hollow body may be less than 15 percent of the interior volume of the beverage container, which is advantageous in that only a minor reduction of beverage volume is necessary to provide an efficient cooling.

The outer surface of the hollow body may be rough, which is advantageous in that a larger contact area with the beverage is provided, thus improving the cooling efficiency.

The top cover may further comprise a temperature changing device having a container enclosing a pressurized fluid, an aerosol valve connected to an outlet of the container, which aerosol valve is moveable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator configured to initiate dispensing of aerosols of the fluid. The actuator comprises a first member connected to the aerosol valve, and a second member connected to the container, said first member being securely attached to the second member when the valve is in the open position. The temperature changing device is arranged within the hollow body of the top cover such that the first member of the actuator is arranged adjacent to the interior surface of the closed bottom end of the cavity. Hence, an external cooling device is provided within the top cover, providing an efficient cooling.

The first member of the actuator may comprise a central portion connected to the valve, and at least two legs extending from said central portion towards the second member of the actuator, wherein each leg comprises a hook configured to engage with the second member. This is advantageous in that the cooling process is manually initiated, and self-maintained until it is completed.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a beverage container is provided. The beverage container comprises a top cover according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for providing a top cover configured to seal an open end of a cylindrical beverage container is provided. The method comprises the step of defining a hollow body in a panel of the top cover, wherein the hollow body is forming a cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a container for beverage having a cylindrical wall, a sealed top and bottom end wherein said top end is sealed by a first cover comprising an external cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end which cavity is extending within the internal cavity of the container, said container further comprising a second cover for sealing said top end of said external cavity, a temperature changing device for cooling said beverage, wherein said temperature changing device is arranged within said external cavity.

A yet further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a container for cooling beverage included therein comprising producing said container having an open top end and spaced there from a closed bottom end, producing a first top cover comprising a cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end and which is extending a specified length from said top end, filling said container with a beverage, sealing said container by sealing said top end with said top cover, wherein said cavity is extending within said container, producing a second top cover for sealing said open top end of said cavity, producing a cooling device comprising an outlet valve, arranging said cooling device within the external cavity, sealing said top end of said cavity with said second cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of the invention, wherein embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a container according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top cover according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second cover according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the second cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first member of an actuator according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a beverage container according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top cover according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a temperature changing device according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the mounting process of a beverage container with a temperature changing device according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to a top cover 14 of a beverage container 10. The top cover 14 is designed such that it can be used with a temperature changing device 11 for cooling different types of beverages, such as beer, soft drinks and iced tea, enclosed within the container 10. A preferred embodiment relates to a portable container 10, such as a common beer can, including the top cover 14 and the temperature changing device 11. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is as such equally applicable to larger beverage containers, which are not portable. However, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, most embodiments outlined in this specification are related to common beer cans.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference signs refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a container 10 according to a first embodiment. The container 10 has a substantially cylindrical wall 16, which is closed at one end by a bottom cover 15. Further, the container 10 has a top cover 14 having a panel 20, a scored portion 17, and a hollow body 12 that defines a cavity. A tab (not shown) is attached to the outer surface of the panel 20, and configured to open a hole in the panel 20 by fracturing the scored portion 17. The top cover 14 is formed from sheet material, and the hollow body 12 extends within the peripheral wall 16 along a longitudinal axis of the container 10. The peripheral wall 16 and the top and bottom covers 14, 15 of the container 10 together define a tubular body 18 in which beverage is enclosed.

A temperature changing device 11 is arranged inside the hollow body 12. The temperature changing device 11 comprises a pressurized fluid container 41, enclosing a fluid mixture containing CO₂ as its main constituent. The outlet of the container 41 is provided with an aerosol valve 43. An actuator 45 is connected to the valve 43 and to the container 41.

With reference to FIG. 2, the hollow body 12 is provided centrically on the panel 20. It should however be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made in positioning of the hollow body 12 within the top cover 14. The hollow body 12 has a closed bottom end 15 and an upper open end 21.

The hollow body 12 is sealed by a second cover 30, which is further described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The second cover 30 is arranged on the outer surface of the panel 20, and extends into the hollow body 12 by means of a circumferential protrusive edge 35 of the second cover 30. A protrusion 32 is centrally provided on the interior surface of the second cover 30. The protrusion, e.g. a knob, is integrally formed with the second cover 30. Further, the second cover 30 comprises at least one exhaust hole 31 extending through the second cover 30.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the actuator 45 comprises a first member 46 connected to the valve 43 and a second member 47 connected to the container 41. The first member 46 has a central portion 48, which is arranged on a stem 44 of the valve 43, and three legs 49 extend from the central portion 48 towards the second member 47 shown in FIG. 1. At the end of each leg 49, a hook 50 is provided. The legs 49 are provided circumferentially of the central portion 48, evenly spaced by an angle of 120°. The outer part of the legs are aligned with the interior surface of the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11, such that the spaces provided between the legs 49 are acting as aerosol guides during dispensing of the fluid mixture. The second member 47 comprises an annular portion provided at a lower portion of the container 41. At the upper part of the annular portion, a notch 51 is provided.

In the following, a method for cooling a beverage according to an embodiment will be described.

When the break or opening mechanism for the beverage container 10, i.e. the tab for fracturing the scored portion 17, is pushed against the second cover 30, the second cover 30 switches the shape to a concave shape which, by means of the knob 32 of the second cover 30, pushes the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 downwards towards the bottom of the hollow body 12. This movement forces the stem 44 of the valve 43 to be retracted into a release position, which causes the valve 43 to open. Consequently, aerosols will be outlet through the valve 43. As the stem of the valve 43 moves towards the release position, the first member 46 of the actuator 45 will move in an upward direction towards the container 11. As the legs 49 of the first member 46 reaches the notch 51 of the second member 47, the hook 50 of each leg 49 will engage with the notch 51. Consequently, the user pushing the tab will hear a click sound, and the stem of the valve 43 is prevented from moving back to the extended position, i.e. the position where the valve is closed, when the user releases the tab. Hence, the valve 43 will remain open until the pressure inside the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 is low enough to stop dispensing aerosols.

When CO₂, or any other fluid mixture contained inside the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11, flows through the valve 43, the CO₂ is gasified and this may result in an outlet temperature of approximately −73° C.

CO₂ has no liquid state at pressures below 5.1 atm. At 1 atm., CO₂ is a solid at temperatures below −78° C. In its solid state, CO₂ is commonly called dry ice. In its gaseous state, CO₂ is 1.5 times as heavy as air, thus if released to the air it will concentrate at low elevations. 1 kg of dry ice has the cooling capacity of approximately 2 kg of ordinary ice. Gaseous or liquid CO₂, stored under pressure, will form dry ice through an auto-refrigeration process if rapidly depressurized. Hence, 6.69 grams of CO₂ should in theory (if released optimally) lower the temperature of 45 cl beverage by 15° C. in about 60 seconds.

The beverage container 10 shown in FIG. 1 is designed to have the same external dimensions and shape as a standard 50 cl portable beverage can. However, the presence of the hollow body 12 reduces its interior volume. The hollow body 12 may use 10% of this volume, which, in the case of a 50 cl beverage container, corresponds to 5 cl of beverage. In other embodiments, the volume of the hollow body 12 may be between 5 and 15 percent of the interior volume of the beverage container 10. Since the external dimensions are the same as those of conventional beverage cans, each can be used and filled on existing filling lines. Correspondingly, the length of the hollow body 12 may be 115 mm and the diameter may be 38 mm.

Other dimensions of the beverage container 10 may also be utilized. Such dimensions may correspond to the dimensions of commercially available containers, such as 33 cl, 35.5 cl (12 U.S. fl. oz.), or 44 cl (14.9 U.S. fl. oz).

The diameter of the aerosol container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 may be 20 to 35 mm, especially 22 mm, and it may contain 5 cl of fluid mixture containing CO₂ as its main constituent. The aerosol container 41 is capable of managing an internal pressure of at least 70 bar. The aerosol valve 43 connected to the aerosol container 41 is capable of managing an internal pressure of at least 50 bar. As a precautionary measure, the aerosol valve 43 is configured to self-release if the internal pressure exceeds 50 bar.

In an embodiment, the container 41 of the temperature changing device 41 comprises a fluid mixture containing CO₂ as its main constituent. The fluid mixture may be designed such that it is non-toxic according to present environmental requirements. Further, the fluid mixture may be designed such that it has a boiling point similar to pure CO₂, although the critical point is higher as compared to pure CO₂.

In a further embodiment, the container 41 of the temperature changing device 41 encloses approximately 6.7 g of fluid mixture. The dimensions of the container 41 are designed such that the pressure inside the container 41 will not exceed 50 bar when the temperature is above 50° C.

Different embodiments of the top cover 14, the second cover 30, and the temperature changing device 11 will be described below.

The hollow body 12 may have a tubular shape, and the closed bottom end 22 of the hollow body 12 may be planar, convex, concave, or of any other shape. The hollow body 12 may further have a tapered profile such that the dimensions of the bottom end 22 are smaller than the upper open end 21. Moreover, the hollow body 12 may be formed integrally with the panel 20. In a further embodiment, the panel 20 has a punched hole, and the hollow body 12 having an upper open end 21 is attached to the periphery of the punched hole.

The outer surface of the hollow body 12, i.e. the surface being in contact with the beverage enclosed inside the container 10, may be rough. Further, the interior surface of the hollow body 12 may also be rough.

The panel 20 may comprise a groove (not shown) surrounding the open end 21 of the hollow body 12. The groove is configured to fit the second cover 30 for sealing the open end 21. The second cover 30 may be fixedly attached to the groove, or the second cover may be attached to the panel 20 by means of the tab, extending over the second cover 30 for maintaining the second cover 30 over the open end 21.

The second cover 30 can be immersed such that it does not extend above the outer parts of the top cover 14. This is advantageous in that unintended initiating of the actuating means 32, e.g. during transport or storing, is prevented.

The valve 43 may comprise a membrane (not shown) for providing vibrations during outlet of the gas mixture. Hence, the vibrating membrane will prevent clogging of the valve outlet. The valve 43 may further be configured to dispense a major part of the content inside the container 41 of the temperature changing device 11 in approximately 60 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, 51% of the gas mixture content is dispensed in less than 60 seconds, preferably between 30 and 60 seconds.

The container 41 of the temperature changing device 11, the valve 43 and the actuator 45 are manufactured by conventional materials known per se, preferably by plastics and/or aluminum alloys, for corresponding to present recycling processes.

Other embodiments of the top cover are shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. Herein, the valve is denoted by reference numeral 13. Other elements of the embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The top cover 14 may be provided by a method according to a first embodiment. The method comprises the step of forming a panel 20 having a scored portion 17. A tab is thereafter attached to a first side of the panel 20, wherein the tab is configured to open a hole in the panel 20 by fracturing the scored portion 17. After this, a hollow body 12 is defined in the panel 20, wherein the hollow body 12 is forming a cavity extending from an open end 21 on the first side of the panel 20 to a closed bottom end 22.

The beverage container 10 may further be assembled by providing a tubular body 18 having a closed bottom end and an open upper end. Next to this, the beverage container 10 is filled with some kind of beverage. The top cover 14 is thereafter mounted on the beverage container 10, and the top cover 14 is sealed with respect to the beverage container 10. The temperature changing device 11, comprising the valve 43 and the actuator 45 is mounted separately, and inserted into the hollow body 12 of the top cover 14. The legs 49 of the actuator 45 are thus aligned with the interior surface of the bottom end 22 of the hollow body 12. Thereafter, the second cover 30 is arranged on top of the open end 21 of the hollow body 12. Finally, the tab that is already attached to the panel 20 is rotated such that it extends over the second cover 30. The second cover 30 is consequently kept in place by means of the tab.

The manufacturing method is advantageous in that it can be implemented in existing production lines utilizing pasteurization processes. This is due to the fact that the temperature changing device 11 is inserted after the beverage container 10 is filled with the pasteurized beverage and sealed by the top cover 14. Further, the beverage is only exposed to the interior surface of the top cover 14, which is made of the same material as covers used for presently known beverage containers.

In an embodiment, the outer surface of the beverage container 11 may be painted with a temperature sensitive paint, which will indicate when the cooling process is finished. Such paint may e.g. be provided circumferentially on the beverage container 10. Hence, a user can detect if the temperature distribution is uniform, as well as if the temperature has reached its intended value, before the beverage container 10 is opened.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. The different features of the various embodiments of the invention can be combined in other combinations than those explicitly described. It should therefore be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A top cover for sealing an open end of a cylindrical beverage container, said top cover comprising a panel having a scored portion, and a tab attached to a first side of the panel and configured to open a hole in the panel by fracturing the scored portion, wherein the panel comprises a hollow body forming a cavity for a temperature changing device, said cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end.
 2. The top cover according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body has a tapered profile.
 3. The top cover according to claim 1, further comprising a second cover for sealing the open end of the hollow body, wherein the second cover comprises at least one through hole and a protrusion arranged on a side of the second cover facing the interior of the hollow body.
 4. The top cover according to claim 3, wherein the tab is extending over the second cover for maintaining the second cover over the open end of the hollow body.
 5. The top cover according to claim 1, wherein the interior volume of the hollow body is less than 15 percent of the interior volume of the beverage container.
 6. The top cover according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the hollow body is rough.
 7. The top cover according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature changing device having a container enclosing a pressurized fluid, an aerosol valve connected to an outlet of the container and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator configured to initiate dispensing of aerosols of the fluid, wherein the actuator comprises a first member connected to the aerosol valve, and a second member connected to the container, said first member being securely attached to said second member when the valve is in the open position, and the temperature changing device is arranged within the hollow body of the top cover such that the first member of the actuator is arranged adjacent to the interior surface of the closed bottom end of the cavity.
 8. The top cover according to claim 7, wherein the first member of the actuator comprises a central portion connected to the valve, and at least two legs extending from said central portion towards the second member of the actuator, wherein each leg comprises a hook configured to engage with the second member.
 9. A beverage container, comprising a cylindrical wall forming a tubular body, a closed bottom end, and a top cover according to claim
 1. 10. A method for providing a top cover configured to seal an open end of a cylindrical beverage container, said method comprising the steps of: forming a panel having a scored portion, attaching a tab to a first side of the panel, wherein the tab is configured to open a hole in the panel by fracturing the scored portion, and defining a hollow body in the panel, wherein the hollow body is forming a cavity extending from an open end on the first side of the panel to a closed bottom end.
 11. A container for beverage having a cylindrical wall, a sealed top and bottom end wherein said top end is sealed by a first cover comprising an external cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end which cavity is extending within the internal cavity of the container, said container further comprising a second cover for sealing said top end of said external cavity; a temperature changing device for cooling said beverage; wherein said temperature changing device is arranged within said external cavity.
 12. A method for producing a container for cooling beverage included therein comprising: producing said container having an open top end and spaced there from a closed bottom end; producing a first top cover comprising a cavity with an open top end and a closed bottom end and which is extending a specified length from said top end; filling said container with a beverage; sealing said container by sealing said top end with said top cover, wherein said cavity is extending within said container: producing a second cover for sealing said open top end of said cavity; producing a cooling device comprising an outlet valve; arranging said cooling device within the external cavity; sealing said top end of said cavity with said second cover. 